Connection between Stress and Oral Health

Stress can be hard on the body, and researchers have found that stress can also be hard on dental health, causing conditions that can negatively affect the health of teeth and gums.

Stress can play a big part in contributing to the following conditions:
• Bruxism: Grinding of the teeth caused by stress which is very detrimental to the health of your teeth and jaw.
• Canker Sores: Stress contributes to the formation of painful canker sores.
• Dry Mouth: Stress can cause dry mouth and a lack of saliva in the mouth contributes to the buildup of bacteria.
• Burning Mouth: Stress can cause a burning feeling in the mouth, affecting the tongue, lips, palate and/or gums.
• Lichen Planus: Viral infections may cause lichen planus-  a condition in which white lines and ulcers form in the mouth.and doctors believe that the viral infections are caused by stress.
• TMJ/TMD problems: Teeth grinding brought on by anxiety and stress can result in debilitating pain in the temporomandibular joint.
• Gum Disease: Stress negatively affects the immune system and increases the chance for periodontal infections.

Its negative impact on dental health is one more reason to eliminate stress from your life....